Sunday, August 1, 2010

NOMADIC HOARDERS

Anyone who has had to move homes need not be told what an absolutely tiresome experience it is. And the more frequently it is done, the more horrific, even the mere thought of it, turns out to be. I’m yet to recover from the last move and am still having nightmares!

Packing up is when we know how much clutter we have accumulated over the years and the unnecessary baggage that we carry, both physically and emotionally. Letting go of both needs a lot of maturity and will power. But more than that, it calls for some sleight of hand and hoodwinking other members of the family to retain our stuff and throw out theirs.

None can probably beat us in hoarding things. While sorting out the stuff in the boxes, these are some of the things I've discovered that hubby actuallypacked:

Notes taken down in class-circa 1975.

Old telephone directories.

Two carrier bags full of scraps of material.

Obsolete Computer magazines.

Well, I’ve listed below the things which hubby feels are redundant, but which after a prolonged argument (which you know who won), I managed to squeeze into Box No. 151:

Those little sachets of salt and sugar you get with your meal on planes.

Unopened, still gift-wrapped dinner/tea sets.

Collection of comics which I probably read as a pre-schooler.

My size 26 jeans which I optimistically save for future use.

We have been lugging around all this stuff untiringly for quite a few years now. But when I think of the cradle that I used as a child still lying in my parents’ home, I feel a lot better! Atleast I’m not that bad a hoarder!

23 comments:

Very well said. It is difficult to let go off the baggage we carry both physically and emotionally. We are so much attached to them. I still treasure my dual floppy disk drive IBM PC.

We moved a couple of times because my company moved me. That made it a little easier because the movers, arranged and paid by my company, packed everything and unpacked and put them in the right place at the new home. Sometimes, they over do it.

C'mon parents always like to store their baby's Kitty-Petty things... Those are the memorials which they cherish...But packing the size 26 jeans (i didn't know that size exists) with great optimism (though zero probability) and sachets of salt and sugar!! that too in box: 151!! This is called real hoarding...Now I need not say who is a bad hoarder I guess :)

Collection of comics which I probably read as a pre-schooler........how could any one think of disposing these off.These are life time treasures.(I still can't find mine......could have been lost/misplaced in one of the shiftings....sigh)

I am fully aware of the problems connected with shifting the house. I have done it several times and it is indeed a night mare.

One of the problems associated with shifting is that your good furniture will get damaged.

Another serious problem I faced was labor problem in Kerala. when I was transferred from Bhopal to Kochi the laborers demanded a whopping amount of Rs.1000 just for unloading where as for loading in Bhopal I paid only Rs.100.This was in the year 1987.When I told the laborers I will get some office help and unload the household articles my self they said I can do that but still they have to get Rs.1000. Police will not interfere in these matters.Finally I had to shell out Rs.1000 and they unloaded the goods in the compound and walked off and I had to make arrangements to get the things into my house.

Another problem associated with interstate transfer\shifting is that getting admission for children in good schools and they have to learn the language of the state in lower classes.

Even if the company will pay for packing and shifting we have to supervise these things ourselves. I had the bad experience of losing some useful items because they were taken away by the packing laborers.

I am sure your husband has several excuses including sentimental reasons for hoarding those things just as you have many reasons for accumulating your things. We all have this habit of hoarding things and I have really not checked what I have hoarded. Yet once in a way I make a half hearted effort to get rid of some old things because of the insistence of my wife. Sometimes I just tell her that she can bury those old things with me when I die:)

Yes, I agree with you that shifting houses is really nerve wracking,tiresome, tedious,time consuming and gets on ones nerves.

Just the thought that has been bugging me all the time: why can't i get rid of all the junks that are in my house?Well old blouses, jeans, and shirts and pants that will never fit me, why do i still hang on to them?I know very well that unless we empty the old unused items, we would never have place to buy anything new that captures our attention.But I have closed my eyes and given of bundles of things and clothes, and that really made feel happy.I remember somebody saying "if you have not worn or used something for more than a year it means you don't need them"Well I went to the local tailor and got my jeans altered by 1 and half inches, and they look and feel great.At least some things can be saved.Transfers are really boring, one never gets the settled feeling.Good blog.

Come to think of it, I think, your parents storing your cradle is sweet. I dont think it should be trivialised as hoarding. Yesterday when somebody reminded me that my daughter will be finishing her school this year, the memories of her going to school for the first time flashed and I was flooded with emotions. (Didnt think I was sentimental. But, then may be am getting old). So, what am I trying to say... well.. Goes to show writing a good coherent blog like you do, isnt easy. (atleast not for me)